Sunday, February 03, 2008
“Nothing is as it seems in rugby any more.”
If the opening games of the 6 Nations Tournament are anything to go by it’s going to be an eventful and close series. The BBC report correctly sums up Ireland’s win over Italy at Croke Park, “Ireland labour to opening win” - the ghosts of the World Cup have clearly not been fully exorcised. Ireland twelfth straight win over Italy, “perhaps the least satisfying”. The Guardian’s Kevin Mitchell gives an overview of the scene. Meanwhile The Ospreys Wales triumphed over England at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years in a remarkable second half comeback. Eddie Butler is worth reading as always. Scotland face France today at Murrayfield, kick-off 3.00pm. [All games will be available on the BBC i Player here] Update France “[send] out a warning to the rest of the Six Nations.” Scotland 6 France 27
Pete Baker @ 11:29 AM
I very rarely comment on sport blogs for the reasons I outlined below. However, thank you so much Pete. I spent most of the sermon this morning trying to work out what to say as I had promised to do a rugby blog if someone sensible (ie who knew about the sport) had not started one.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 12:46 PMC’mon Turgon.
You must also have prayed that Pete or somebody would come through and save you.Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 12:56 PMlol thank you joe
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:02 PMI think it’s time to drop the pretence that we have a joint Republic of Ireland/Northern Ireland team.
The IRFU had the opportunity yesterday to redeem themselves after the Belfast game. But they refused and played the Soldier’s Song with the Republic of Ireland flag flying. For some reason they seem to think that flying the 9-county Ulster flag as well is some sort of concession. Memo to them: it’s a joint team with Northern Ireland, United Kingdom not a joint team with the Ulster branch. So like other sports where Northern Ireland are playing, they should have flown the Northern Ireland Ulster Banner.
Of course they could have decided to be neutral and only play Ireland’s Call with the IRFU flag. But they don’t want to be neutral. Shame on those that in the IRFU who are playing politics via rugby. But it’s clear they don’t see they are doing anything wrong - as it’s a Republic of Ireland team where players from NI can play occasionally.
It’s definitely time to bring back some self-respect to the game - it’s time for a Northern Ireland team.
Oh, and the Republic of Ireland were far from exciting yesterday. It was difficult not to yawn while watching the game. Very dull.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:04 PMWell the match yesterday just show how many “Big Girls Blouses” get to wear the Nation team shirt for Rugby.
I had hoped that the Italians could have added a defeat to the undeniable embarrassment they heaped on the Irish team famed for it’s ability to “choke at will” and for the nonsense of appointing a “National sick-note as captain”Well what to hell there are still another two monumental disasters heading Irelands way, perhaps now would be a good time to change its name to CHOKE PARK.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:06 PMPeace and justice maybe its time someone came up for an anthem for Northern Ireland. Then it could be played alongside Amhán na bhFiann. Just floating an idea wondering what you think
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:21 PMpeaceandjustice,
got to agree totally.
For years I supported the Irish rubgy team when many of my unionist friends pilloried me for it and many of my non-unionist friends poked fun at the “anti agreement unionist” supporting an all ireland team.
I went to Dublin for rugby internationals when people in NI , including family members, were still risking their lives at the hands of “Irish soldiers”, and listened to the Soldiers Song and watched the tricolour fly. I always respected that and accepted it because the match was being played in the terrority of the Republic of Ireland. I was always led to believe that if a match was played in Belfast then due deference would be shown to the flag and anthem of the sovereign government of our part of Ireland. Well last year it didn’t happen and the team that people say is “ours” treated a match in Belfast like an away match. It seemed like one rule for one part of Ireland and one rule for another. Since then they have ceased to be my team and I look on international rugby like a neutral spectator when two years ago I cheered as loudly as anyone when Ireland beat England at Twickenham to win the Triple Crown and felt as disappointed as anyone last year when Fance nicked the championship in the last minute.
In fact, for me, one words sums Ireland’s form up since last summer and that is “karma”.
If an apology is forthcoming and a formal committment made to play GSTQ and fly the Union Flag when the IRFU team play in Belfast the next time, then I could see myself following that team again but not until then.Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:28 PMSaolta dude,
the official anthem of Northern Ireland is “God Save the Queen”. In the same way the official anthem of the Republic of Ireland is “Amhán na bhFiann”
So they either play GSTQ when they play in Belfast or they stick with only the one neutral anthem (Ireland’s Call) WHEREVER they play in Ireland. But that’s probably not good enough, as it is only the British identity of Ireland that should be diluted in your book not the Gaelic republican one.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:32 PMHi Eireannach Saolta,
NI does have a national anthem - as a constituent part of the UK it’s GSTQ. If that’s not suitable how is the SS suitable for representing Leinster, Munster and Connaught? ie only 23 of the 26 counties of the RoI. (That’s the clear implication if the 9 county Ulster flag flies). It would also mean that the tricolour is only representing 23 of the 26. Unless 3 counties are represented twice. But, that would be stupid wouldn’t it? Incidentally, Amhán na bhFiann isn’t the National anthem of the Republic despite what you might think.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:35 PMWe already hammered the anthem/flag discussion to near death a few weeks ago.
It’s a most unsatisfactory situation.To paraphrase, North is north and south is south and never the twain shall meet?
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:39 PMPerhaps when landsdown rd reopens they could start playing both GSTQ and Amhrán na bhFiann. Ive no issue with that happening. Im no fan of Irelands call but ive no issue with GSTQ being played. George Hooke the rugby pundit on RTE shares my opinion maybe he could be used to lobby for your cause
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:41 PMCongal Claen how is Amhrán na bhFiann not the national anthem of the ROI. Show me a link explaining how it isnt
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 01:51 PMHi Eireannach Saolta,
Haven’t it on me. If you wait to tomorrow I can retrieve it…
I reckon they should play neither anthem tho’ as I’m sure the RoI players would be as feeked off with GSTQ as NI players are with the SS.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 02:07 PMEddie’s team choice was appaling to be quite honest. Geordan Murphy is a world class full back and should be competing with Dempsey for that position. The same with Andrew Trimble who should be competing for the 12 or 13 shirt. Trying to accomodate Trimble and Murphy on the wing is unacceptable when you have natural wingers in Bowe and Kearny on top form. And for Bowe not even to be selected is a farce.
D’arcy has been in woeful form this season and should have been on the bench.
The anthem issue - either its neutrality (IRFU flag and Irelands call all the time) or mutual respect (SS and Tricolour in RoI; GSTQ and Union Flag in NI). That is up to the IRFU but thus far they have let down many loyal Ireland fans from Northern Ireland.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 02:15 PMYou got a nice scrum half.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 02:20 PMGSTQ is the English National Anthem.
When Scotland and Wales play they have their own national anthems.
Good to see Trimble and O’Driscoll connect, I think they could be the pairing of this tournament.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 02:25 PMperci - “GSTQ is the English National Anthem”. I hear that a lot from Pan-Nationalists who don’t seem to be able to distinguish between England and the UK.
GSTQ is the anthem for the whole of the UK. In the rugby world, Scotland and Wales have chosen to use alternatives to specifically represent them. England and Northern Ireland continue to use GSTQ. So you’re wrong. If you were to say that England and Northern Ireland should use different anthems to specifically represent them then that is a different discussion.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 02:34 PMPerci if itd make unionists happy to have GSTQ played at Ireland internationals we should just have it played. In the interests of goodwill if for nothing else
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 02:50 PMCurrently, England does not have an official anthem, and so adopts “God Save the Queen”, which is the United Kingdom and Commonwealth anthem. However many popular patriotic songs are sung in its place. In April 2007, MP Greg Mulholland introduced an Early Day Motion proposing that England have its own national anthem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposed_English_National_AnthemsPosted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 02:55 PMGood God.
You sad pathetic, petty, mean spirited bastards, there was a game on yesterday, apart from one or two posts about the game itself, it’s all turned into a tribal slagging match. Comment on the game instead of the FUCKING anthems, who gives a shit? Sadly you northerners would rather replay the Battle of the Boyne and the Wars of Religion over and over again and bring it into every context and every facet of your lives, God Save the Queen? She couldn’t give a flying fuck about you lot, a bunch of thick, nasty, ignorant, inward looking, parochial, saddo paddies, that’s the general view the British have of you. Remind me again about the game yesterday.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 03:07 PMWell three out of the four provinces defintiely want the Irish national anthem played and Irish flags flown at internationals; majority wins.
If ya don’t like it, what about declaring independence? Have a nice little British rugby team? You could be uniquely, the only British team in the in the British United Kingdom eh! Wouldn’t that be good, you could out “Brit” the British.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 03:08 PMP&J;I guess “swing low, sweet chariot” could work for England, its often used. Perhaps NI could show some imagination and write one yourselves. Failing that Ireland call represents all 4 counties.
Dave, don’t hold back, lunch-time drinking brings out the worst; still scotland are doing well right noo.
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 03:12 PMDave,
the other thing is; though youare correct, we are trying to bring “civilisation” to our northern neighbours. Right?
eireannach, same to you: we republicans have a responsibility to bring the North into the modern world, as we want to see change. so GSTQ is OUT!Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 03:26 PM‘If ya don’t like it, what about declaring independence? ‘
They haven’t got the balls and I don’t mean the ‘rugby balls’.
Have a nice little British rugby team?
What would they call the team it? East Northern Ireland ? Lower Antrim or North East Ulster ?
It’s a game and Ireland were unconvincing yesterday . Next stop annihalation in France .
Well done the Welsh . Brilliant comeback whatever happened to England . Who would have bet on a Welsh victory at half time -not I .
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 04:40 PMIs Lord Laird available for selection for the next match, now that D’Arcy’s out?
Posted by on Feb 03, 2008 @ 05:28 PM
